Keywords for Resume Success

Keywords for Resume Success

by Louise Garver

 

Imagine you have the perfect qualifications for a position advertised online. Your background, track record, and skill set are ideal for the job. The job is yours for the taking. Or is it? In today's technology-driven world, you may not be considered a qualified candidate - even though you are.

 

The reason? Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS. This tool automates the application process for recruiters and human resources personnel. The process essentially follows this pattern: You submit your resume online. Often, you're able to upload your resume and the system proceeds to extract your information. You're then asked to verify that the information has been extracted correctly. You may also be asked to complete a questionnaire related to the position(s) you're seeking.

 

Your information then goes into a database, allowing recruiters to search for ideal candidates. Recruiters enter search criteria, and the database produces a list of candidates that meet the criteria. To increase your odds of being found by recruiters, you need to develop a resume that will be flagged as meeting the criteria. To do this, you'll need a keyword-rich resume.

 

Keywords are generally nouns that identify experience, skills and qualifications relevant to a position. Although keywords may also include industry "buzzwords" and verbs, the majority of keywords are nouns. Examples include: Vice President of Sales, Marketing Communications Manager, Finance Director, UNIX, SQL, MBA, BA in Business Management and so forth.

 

Does your resume include the right keywords for the positions you're seeking? To maximize your chances of being found by recruiters, follow these tips:

 

1. Review the job advertisement for keywords.

The listing will contain most of the keywords the employer or recruiter will use to filter out resumes. Avoid creating a generic resume and submitting it to as many employers as possible. Instead craft a targeted resume and market yourself through keywords found in the listing.

 

2. Check advertisements for similar positions.

Find and review other ad listings for similar jobs that may contain more keywords to incorporate.

 

3. Make a list of all experience and qualifications that are relevant to the position.

This includes any skills, industry jargon, acronyms, association memberships, and so on. Any words that overlap with those found in advertisements should definitely be included.

 

4. Keyword saturation.

Incorporate as many keywords as possible into your resume. The more keywords you incorporate, the better your chances of being flagged by the software. Include the words throughout your resume, where appropriate. Of course, you'll want to make sure that your resume is "readable" by both keyword scanners and people. You may also want to consider adding a "Keyword" or "Skills" section to describe your skills and qualifications.

 

5. Use variations of the word or acronym.

If possible, use variations of the same word or acronym in your resume. If a recruiter is searching for candidates with a Ph.D., the search may be for "PhD," "Ph.D," "Doctor of Phil." and so on.

 

6. Refresh your resume often.

Recruiters can include the date your resume was submitted in their search. Newer resumes indicate that you're actively seeking a new position while, if your submission is months old, it may be assumed that you're no longer searching. So guess who gets flagged and possibly interviewed first? Refreshing your resume is often as simple as resubmitting it or updating information, even if it means retyping your name and clicking the "Update" or "Submit" button. Be sure to take this easy step for big results.

 

Ultimately, the best way to increase your visibility is to do your homework on the type of positions you're interested in and incorporate relevant keywords strategically into your resume. Use the tips above to create a tailored resume, and you'll increase your chances of being found by a recruiter, called in for an interview, and hired!